Flexible tube closure



March 9, 1937. R L CURRAN 2,073,193

FLEXIBLE TUBE cLosURE Filed Feb. 12, 1936 By%wama-c A ilo rney' fPatented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES FLEXIBLE TUBE cLosURE Robert L.Curran, S. C., by Anna deceased, late of Moultrievlle, Bush Curran,Bradenton, Fla.,

executrix, assignor of twenty-seven per cent to William E.

Curran, twenty per cent to Robert B. Gurran, and twenty per cent toRichard L. Curran, all of Alma, Georgia Application February 12, 1936,Serial No. 63,656

1 Claim.

This invention relates to flexible tubes of the type used in vendingtoothpaste, shaving cream, and the like and more particularly to animproved closure for such tubes.

Briefly the invention consists in the provision of a tube of thecharacter described and characterized by a novel form of closure havingnone of the defects of the closures now generally provided for suchtubes.

In accordance with the present invention a closure is provided whichneed not be entirely removed from the tube in order to permit adischarge of the contents of the tube.

The invention together with its objects and aclvantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a flexible tube embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the tube with the cap removed.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 4 4of Figure 2 with the cap in closed position and Figure 5 is a Viewsomewhat similar to Figure 4 and with the cap in an open position.

Referring to the drawing by reference numerals it will be seen that 5indicates a flexible tube which is generally of the type used in vendingtoothpaste, shaving cream and the like.

In accordance with the present invention the tube 5 is provided with anintegral neck 6 that is substantially solid and is provided at its innerend with a substantially semi-spherical chamber 'I from which extendsoutwardly through the top of the neck substantially diagonal dischargeopenings 8 which converge as they approach the chamber 1.

The neck 6 also has formed integral with its outer end a frusto-conicalvalve element 9 as shown.

For the tube there is provided a closure in the form of a cap I the angeor skirt of which is internally threaded for threaded engagement withthe externally threaded section of the neck 6 as indicated generally atII.

The crown or top of the cap I0 is provided with an opening I2 throughwhich the contents of the tube 5 exude when the cap is in an openposition. At the threaded section thereof the neck E is diametricallyenlarged while at its free edge the skirt or flange of the cap I0 isupset or turned inwardly as at I3 for limiting axial outward adjustmentof the cap I0 relative to the neck 6 and to prevent a totaldisengagement of the cap I0 from the neck 6 incidental to an adjustmentof the cap I0 to open position.

As clearly shown in Figure 4 when the cap I0 is threaded home on theneck 6 valve member 9 is accommodated within the opening I2 in a mannerto effectively prevent passage of the tube contents through the openingI2 in the cap.

When it is desired to discharge a part of the tube contents the cap I0lby a proper rotation' thereof is adjusted axially outwardly withrespect to the neck 6 from the position shown in Figure 4 to, forexample, the position shown in Figure 5. Engagement of the flange I3 ofthe cap with the threaded section of the neck 6 will prevent and limitfurther adjustment of the cap I0 and with the parts in the positionshown in Figure 5 it will be apparent that upon external pressure beingapplied to the tube 5 in the usual manner a portion of the contents ofthe tube 5 will pass from the chamber 1 through the passages 8 outwardlyof the neck and around the valve member 9 to exude through opening I2.

When the desired amount of the tube contents has been thus dischargedcap I 0 is threaded home to the position shown in Figure 4.

With the closure cap I0 in the position sho-wn in Figure 4 it will beseen that the valve member 9 will so t within the opening I2 as to eiecta positive seal for the tube thus insuring the maintenance of the tubecontents in proper condition.

It will also be apparent that with a closure structure of this characterfor the tube the cap thereof need not be entirely removed to effect adischarge of the tube contents and consequently the likelihood of thecap becoming lost or misplaced is obviated.

It will also be appreciated that the tube 5 may be produced inconventional sizes and consequently will not necessitate a change in thedesign or size of the packing and shipping carton usually provided forsuch tubes; and that further the invention is applicable to containers,such as perfume and lotion bottles, other than collapsible tubes.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A container having a solid integral neck provided with a substantiallyflat outer end and an integral tapered Valve pin extending from saidouter end of the neck and centrally positioned with respect to the neck;said neck having a substantially semi-spherical recess at the inner endthereof opening into the container and also havlng diagonal passagesextending through the neck from said recess to the flat outer end of theneck, said neck for substantially half the length thereof beingdiametrically enlarged to provide a. shoulder, and the enlarged part ofsaid neck being externally threaded, and a, cap for the container havinga flat crown provided with a central opening to accommodate the valvestem and also being provided With an integral internally threaded skirtscrew threadedly engaging the enlarged portion of the neck, and saidskirt having its free edge portion turned inwardly to engage theshoulder to limit outward movement of the cap relative to the neck.

ANNA BUSH CURRAN,

Escecutri of the Estate of Robert L. Curran, De-

ceased.

